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Minutes for SCR1611 - Committee on Federal and State Affairs
Short Title
Making application to the U.S. congress to call a convention of the states.
Minutes Content for Wed, Feb 14, 2018
Chairman Estes explained to a very large gallery that we must be respectful at all times.
Matt Sterling, Revisor of Statutes gave an overview of SCR1611 and answered committee questions.
Proponents
Chuck Akins, United State Air Force Veteran, Wichita Kansas, supports SCR1611. Mr Akins believes that if we do nothing how will change happen in Washington DC. He believes we need to put more constraints on Washington, DC through the states. (Attachment 1)
Representative Jesse Burris, 82nd District, spoke in support of the article 5 Conventions of the States and therefore supports SCR1611. (Attachment 2)
Tony Gillette, State Director, Convention of States Project, believes we have a mess in Washington DC and many are asking what do we do about that mess and who decides how to take power back from Washington, DC. Mr. Gillette noted that fortunately the U.S. constitution has a way through the use or article 5 to take back our power. This would limit federal power and jurisdiction, adding term limits to federal officials. He believes we need to act on the tools the founding fathers gave us. He offered testimony in support of SCR1611. (Attachment 3)
David Copeland, Convention of States Project, Overland Park, Army Veteran. He is a professional engineer by profession but is most proud of his children and grandchildren and that is why he is before the committee. He noted that the United States debt is at $20.6 trillion currently. He believes we must impose fiscal restraint on the Federal Government, by using article 5. It is a far greater risk to do nothing than to let Washington DC continue to kick the can down the road with debt. He therefore offered support of SCR1611. (Attachment 4)
Mark Meckler, Co-Founder and President of Citizens for Self-Governance and the Convention of State Project, is before the committee inspired by the founding father and the rules they have set for the United States. He noted that only state legislatures have the power to change the constitution of the United States. Mr. Meckler believes we are in a jurisdictional fight in Washington DC. He noted that by a survey results, seventy percent of Kansans want the state legislature to recommend this convention of states. He presented testimony in support of SCR1611. (Attachment 5)
Ben Terrill, Convention of State Project, Shawnee KS, retired business professional, and noted that truth and justice are hard to find now in the United States. His testimony supporting SCR1611 was presented to the committee. (Attachment 6)
Chair Bud Estes opened the floor for questioning of the proponents.
Questions were asked by Senators: Oletha Faust-Goudeau, Caryn Tyson, Richard Hilderbrand, and Ty Masterson.
Written Proponents
David Schneider, Convention of States Project, Resident of Marion, KS, father of three children. (Attachment 7)
Opponents
John Axtell, Kansas Campaign for Liberty, asked that we make sure we do the right thing not just something. Mr. Axtell noted the wording of the resolution is vague. He believes that Kansas has one the most conservative state constitutions in the nation and this resolution needs stronger words to protect that conservative nature. He believes all money should be minted of gold or silver. Congress ignored the Federal Reserve in 1913. Words do not police themselves, we have to police the words. He asks: What is missing in America today? He notes that what we need to do is to force the Federal Government to follow the constitution. Mr. Axtell therefore presented testimony in opposition to SCR1611. (Attachment 8)
Rob Wood, Kansas Chamber of Liberty, spoke to the committee in opposition to SCR1611. (Attachment 9)
Questions were asked and comments made by Senators: Bud Estes, Ty Masterson, and Rob Olson.
Written Opponents
These individuals presented testimony in opposition to SCR1611.
Lynne Beachner, self (Attachment 10)
Blake Branson, self (Attachment 11)
Dylan Callahan, self (Attachment 12)
Frank Cao, self (Attachment 13)
Michael Leachman, Center on Budget & Policy (Attachment 14)
Mark Desetti, self (Attachment 15)
Jan Gallagher, self (Attachment 16)
Jessica M. Geesaman, self (Attachment 17)
Jerry Hill, self (Attachment 18)
Stephanie Iser, self (Attachment 19)
Andrea Johnson, self (Attachment 20)
Barbara Johnston, self (Attachment 21)
Catherine W. Jones, self (Attachment 22)
Michael Pahr, KS Appleseed (Attachment 23)
Amanda Gress, KS Action for Children (Attachment 24)
Jan Kimball, self (Attachment 25)
Heidi Holliday, KS Center for Economic Growth (Attachment 26)
William King, self (Attachment 27)
Leslie D. Mark, self (Attachment 28)
Lisa Ochs, AFT, Kansas (Attachment 29)
Anita Parsa, self (Attachment 30)
Sheilah Philip, self (Attachment 31)
Sondra G. Raile, self (Attachment 32)
Christopher E. Renner, self (Attachment 33)
Bill Rich, self (Attachment 34)
Nicole Rome, self (Attachment 35)
Carol Shimeall, self (Attachment 37)
Joshua Shorter, self (Attachment 38)
David A. Super, self (Attachment 39)
Carrie E. Ullom, self (Attachment 40)
The hearing on SCR1611 was closed.
Chair Bud Estes adjourned meeting at 12:00pm.
